PTSD

Although this information is most likely not new to most readers. I do think it is important in some of the first blogs that we do some educational blogs with some basic definitions. This is not neccessarily interesting or uplifting, but I do think it is important. One area that I wanted to start with is Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is a mental health condition that's triggered by terrifying events. One of the most common outcome of sexual abuse can be PTSD. When in danger, it’s natural to feel afraid. Fear triggers the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a healthy reaction meant to protect a person from harm. But in PTSD, this reaction is changed or damaged. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger.

Symptoms of PTDS:
1. Re-experiencing symptoms:
 •Flashbacks—reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating
 •Bad dreams
 •Frightening thoughts.

2. Avoidance symptoms:
 •Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience
 •Feeling emotionally numb
 •Feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry
 •Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past
 •Having trouble remembering the dangerous event.

3. Hyperarousal symptoms:
 •Being easily startled
 •Feeling tense or “on edge”
 •Having difficulty sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts.

Please refer to The National Institute of Mental Health : http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml